I had been in my office facing Tropicana Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada, for almost two hours. It was time for a break and breakfast. The English Pub next door served bangers and eggs and also poured up a mean screwdriver, more vodka than orange juice. I sure could use an eye-opener. It was 6:50 am MST, September 11, 2001.
As I sat at the bar, Tommy came over and said, “Can you believe this, we are under attack!” I was totally confused and a bit annoyed because he had not mixed me up my drink as he always did, seeing me come through the door. His eyes were fixed on the TV screen above the bar. And as I focused in, it did not register. Was he watching a movie or what? On the screen there were buildings that seemed to be the World Trade Center but one of them was engulfed in smoke from it looked like the 90th floor upwards. I whispered, “What the….?”
Tommy turned back to me as if noticing me for the first time and said, “Hey sorry, John. This is just nuts. I will mix you up a double you are going to need it…, in fact I think we all are going to need it!” With that he started mixing but did not take his eyes off the screen. I finally said, “What is going on?” And as he brought me the drink he said, “Where have you been, man, we are under attack. Some crazies are crashing planes into buildings….” As he was saying this, and I was watching the screen, I heard one of the announcers say, “Oh my God, there is another one….” Then from the second tower a ball of orange flame exploded. Both of us sat dumb founded. I could not take my eyes off the screen and my mind could not compute what was happening. Without knowing it, I was crying.
For the rest of the day, we like most of the world watched the events that followed. The collapse of those two amazing towers, with all the horrific meaning that went with it. A plane hitting the Pentagon and a plane crashed into a field with rumors of brave passengers overwhelming the hijackers. And soon everywhere the name, Osama bin Laden and a group of terrorists by the name Al-Qaeda. But above all rumors and fear.
From the bar stool where I was sitting the Las Vegas airport was less than four blocks away. By the time the second WTC building collapsed, sirens were wailing from that direction on a constant basis. Rumors swirled in the bar that more planes were in the air. All major airports and buildings were targeted. Soon it was known that the airport had stopped all operations. Within hours the city that never sleeps was as frozen with paranoia as was every city and town in America. The security of living in the United States of America had been breached and nothing would ever be the same again.
On that day over 17 years ago now, I like many of us who live in the comforts of this great country lost something. At the time I wasn’t really sure what it was but when I look at our world today I believe it was simple trust and faith that we are safe from the horrors of living on a sin-filled planet. No, back then I would have not worded it that way. The reason would be that I did not believe in sin or the one who promotes it, Satan. I foolishly believed that just by being blessed to be born in this country I was save from the events leading to what I now understand, Jesus soon return. When I look back, 9/11 unhinged that belief.
God’s Word assures us that all things will lead to good if He is the one we trust in, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) I think our problem has been and still is that we, even as followers of Jesus Christ believe that earthly powers will protect us from evil. The only problem with this is that we are not fighting a battle with earthly forces, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Our only hope and protection is in Jesus Christ.
Over the years since my accepting Jesus as my Savior, I have looked back to 9/11 with an ever-changing attitude. At first, I still struggled with the idea that there were many hate filled organizations that wanted nothing better than see the demise and death of people just because they lived in the United States. But as I delved deeper into God’s Word and being a student of history, I saw that it really was not about country but more about the same hatred that led Jesus to the cross in the first place. When I was able to come to grips with that I was able to see if we are to be followers of him we need to take his warning and comfort seriously, “I have told you these things, so that you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Again it comes down to if this world is our home we will never be ready for the kingdom that is to come, and I want to be.
I have lifted all who were affected by 9/11 in prayer, especially those who lost loved ones to the horrific acts of violence that occurred on that day back in 2001. But even more today I want to remember that day as a reminder of how close this world is to the soon coming of Jesus. That my goal is not to look back but to do whatever I can today to help that coming happen as soon as possible. Let’s not live in fear, but in hope. We have a Savior and He died for you and for me. And He is coming back soon!
Blessings and Happy Sabbath,
John
9/14/18
